Idaho Republicans win statewide races as Democrats gain six legislative seats

Idaho Republicans swept every statewide race in Tuesday’s election and kept control of the state’s congressional delegation.

Voters also rejected Proposition 1, an initiative seeking to overturn Idaho’s near-complete abortion ban, with 56% voting against it.

Democrats nevertheless gained six seats in the Legislature: one in the Senate and five in the House.

Republicans still hold 28 of 35 Senate seats and 56 of 70 House seats, so the gains do not change who controls either chamber.

The new seats could give Democrats more representation on key committees, including the committee that writes the state budget.

Democrats also won all the legislative seats in three districts that had split delegations, while two swing-district incumbents won comfortably.

The results leave Republicans firmly in charge, but give Idaho Democrats some gains to build on in future elections.